Essential Information & Communications

Unimpeded Insight

It's at the core of your operations. It's the intelligence you need to operate decisively, ensure compliance and protect vital assets. High-stakes objectives like national security, continuity of operations, and regulatory compliance require information and insight that is accurate, reliable and accessible. You need networks, information systems and decision support capabilities that are secure, manageable and responsive to shifting requirements.

Today's Challenges:

Bulletproof and reliable networks. Your agency requires information networks that guarantee that the right information is delivered to the right people. [More +]

What is the challenge: Civilian, defense and intelligence operations require reliable networks that can guarantee the right information is put into the right hands when needed. Core financial, management and IT operations require reliable information networks to support routine operations and ensure business continuity in the event of a disruption. Building voice, data and video networks onto a secure and easily managed network can be challenging. Some of the challenges include cost effectively integrating legacy systems, incorporating a wide range of security protocols and standards, and navigating the maze of technology options. Solutions must also consider the longer term needs for easy upgrade and modernization without massive investments.

Boost efficiencies with sustainable IT practices. Today more than ever IT is poised to be the function that truly is able to do more with less. [More +]

What is the challenge: Investments in IT to support agency operations and mission objectives remain some of the biggest items in the budget. Data storage, processing and application management must be managed in the most cost effective manner possible. Virtualization, energy conservation and other sustainable IT practices should be considered to reduce the cost of agency operations. Initiatives should also consider the goals of improving quality of service, speed of delivery, or the pursuit of mission goals. Those responsible for making IT investments must include the views of others with responsibility for security, compliance, capital planning and investment, logistics, design and other areas. Failure to include the right people in the planning process can result in missed opportunities to reduce costs and leverage technology in new and innovative ways.

Spend limited budgets wisely. With competing demands and shifting priorities agency executives must do all they can to make smart decisions with limited budgets. [More +]

What is the challenge: What should you prioritize, where should you invest and what should you expect? These are questions that every agency CFO, CIO and program manager should be able to answer quickly and with ample data to back it up. When investments are made you must be able to manage them effectively to deliver the results that your stakeholders and mission demand. Collaboration to prioritize goals and good capital planning are keys to aligning IT investments with mission objectives. Then the hard part begins. Delivering enterprise IT initiatives on time and budget is not easy.

The complexity of legacy systems, inadequate data and agency silos can cripple a project and drive up costs. Ample time must be spent to properly evaluate technical requirements and the availability of off-the-shelf versus costly proprietary solutions. But technology is rarely the culprit for failed projects. Too often delays and cost overruns are the result of underestimating the complexity of people issues as well as failure to align IT projects with dependent changes in processes and other systems. Poor data quality and inadequate project oversight are also major contributors to inefficient and misaligned IT spending. Proven frameworks and methodologies for technology evaluation, planning, project oversight, governance, risk and compliance can help make the most of budgeted dollars.

Tap the potential of IP. Advances in affordability and security make everything-over IP a reality. [More +]

What is the challenge: Everything-over IP (EoIP) describes the true convergence of voice, video and data across the enterprise, not only traditional network services, but all services on an IP backbone. The use of IP protocol can improve quality of service, enable collaboration, simplify management and ultimately lower the cost of delivery. Although pressure to maintain legacy technology and network investments has delayed wholesale adoption of IP-based solutions, conversion is now a real opportunity. However, there are a number of security risks associated with using IP networks. Application, wireless and network, and client security must all be considered in the design of an all IP enterprise framework. Fortunately, it is now easier to implement and manage multi-layer security and controls to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information across the enterprise. To address security issues, proper design, implementation and proven standards-based protocols should be rigorously followed.

Collaboration. Online and offline collaboration is now a fundamental part of the business of government. [More +]

What is the challenge: Agencies now have access to affordable solutions that allow government employees to easily access disparate information sources and collaborate regardless of physical location. The benefits of better collaboration include improvements in service and delivery, lower cost of operations, innovation, a satisfied workforce and operational resiliency in the event of a business disruption.

Careful planning is required. Agencies must think strategically about how to enable unified, efficient communication and collaboration, including alignment with Enterprise Architecture. Agency leaders also need to determine the most critical activities that will benefit from greater collaboration in order to prioritize and budget adequately. Information security and controls must also be in place to prevent unauthorized access and sharing of sensitive information. Perhaps the most challenging issue is to build and maintain a collaborative environment across silos. This requires an agency culture that values and rewards employees for collaboration.

Be ready for the worst. Continuity of Operations (COOP) in the event of an emergency requires dependable and secure communication networks. [More +]

What is the challenge: Escalating network demands in the event of an emergency can render public communications infrastructure useless. For those responsible for homeland security, continuity and emergency response, highly reliable networks are needed to facilitate communications when disaster or major disruptions occur. Eliminating this risk is critical given the need for real-time situational data and analysis. The remote location of some emergencies add unique challenges to designing and building emergency communications networks. Ease of mobility and uninterrupted high band-width connectivity are essential. Today's advanced solutions can utilize affordable shared or dedicated satellite communications to deliver situational awareness in the form of voice, video and data. All of the most advanced communications capabilities can also be embed into mobile platforms including mobile command vehicles (MCVs), backpacks and other transportable solutions.

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Essential Information & Communications

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Today's Challenges:

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